Holding steady, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Celes since 1965
Babies named Celes per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 33 |
| 2000s | 86 |
| 2010s | 81 |
| 2020s | 55 |
Meaning & origin
Celes is a rare modern name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1965. Its usage has remained extremely low, with a 2025 rank of 14,942, meaning about 1 in 321,453 newborns receive the name. The name's trajectory is stable, and its peak year was 2024, suggesting a slight recent uptick. Celes is likely a shortened form of Celeste (meaning 'heavenly'), a borrowing from Latin that became popular in English-speaking countries. The name's similarity to 'Celine' and 'Selene' may also attract parents seeking a distinct but accessible choice. Without a long history or widespread use, Celes offers a clean, melodic sound that fits modern naming trends favoring short names ending in 's'.
Celes is a modern name that likely emerged as a short form or variant of Celeste or Celestina, which derive from the Latin 'caelestis' meaning 'heavenly'. It first appeared in records in the 1960s. The name remains rare, with minimal usage in the United States.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cece, Sel
Sibling names for Celes
Names that share Celes's style, for a brother or sister.
